Program Provides $50,000 in Grant Support and an Opportunity for Virtual Leadership Training
Syracuse, N.Y. — On Friday November 20, Bank of America announced the Rescue Mission Alliance of Syracuse as a Neighborhood Champion, a recognition that includes both grant funding and leadership training. The Neighborhood Champions program supports the role that strong nonprofit leaders play in advancing economic mobility, and is an extension of the bank’s signature philanthropic initiative, Neighborhood Builders®, the largest corporate philanthropic investment in nonprofit leadership in the country. Alongside Central New York, the bank will bring the program to over 40 additional communities across the U.S. this fall as part of its commitment to investing in the long-term health of communities in which it does business.
As part of the program, the Rescue Mission will receive $50,000 in grants and an opportunity for engagement in virtual leadership training delivered by experts in the nonprofit sector. The Rescue Mission is in the process of renovating a home to open a 10-bed Runaway & Homeless Youth Shelter for 12- to 17-year-olds, with a focus on serving and affirming youth who identify as LGBTQ. Slated to open in fall 2021, the Neighborhood Champions grant provides the final dollars needed to cover the first year of operation of the new program.
“The Rescue Mission is so grateful to Bank of America for selecting us as this year’s Neighborhood Champion,” said Rescue Mission CEO Dan Sieburg. “This support is key to the successful launch of our new youth shelter, which is desperately needed in our area. This will widen our impact on Central and Upstate New York for one of the most vulnerable homeless populations – kids.”
“As we consider many of the challenges that our communities are facing – from the health and humanitarian crisis brought on by the coronavirus, to the need for progress on racial equality and economic opportunity – the Neighborhood Champions program is a relevant and timely initiative to support the communities we serve,” said Mike Brunner, Central New York market president for Bank of America. “This new endeavor from the Rescue Mission will undoubtedly have a positive impact on countless homeless youth in Central New York. No child should have to worry about having a roof over their head, and we look forward to seeing how this investment helps our local youth.”
The Neighborhood Champions program is invitation-only for nonprofits who are poised to take their work to the next level. Leading members of the community participated in a collaborative selection process to identify this year’s awardee. Since the program’s inception last year, Bank of America has invested $4.2 million in 84 organizations within 42 communities through the Neighborhood Champions program. The Neighborhood Champions program in Central New York will strengthen the bank’s commitment to advancing economic mobility and nonprofit leadership in the region.
